UKZN ‘blind’to monkey death

THE University of KwaZulu-Natal has come under fire for seemingly turning a blind eye to an incident in which students beat a monkey to death at the Westville campus more than a week ago.

The Mercury has been inundated with letters and phone calls from outraged readers, all asking whether the university was dealing with the incident.

Many expressed disappointment with UKZN’s handling of a previous incident in 2005 when students cooked a cat alive in a microwave oven.

Attempts to get an update on the investigation and information on what action would be taken against the culprits – one of whom is known by name to The Mercury and university – have proved unsuccessful.

A furious caller from Joburg yesterday accused the media and SPCA of not putting enough pressure on UKZN to act. However, UKZN spokeswoman Indu Moodley said a statement would be issued on the matter.

SPCA inspector Steve Wight said he had opened a case of animal cruelty with the police on Friday.

Police spokesman Thulani Zwane said the case was being investigated.

l The Mercury was first told that the incident had occurred at the university’s Howard College campus. However, it was later established that it had happened at the Westville campus. - The Mercury